Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-04-17
NJ. ID. TO j. T.. T..
tn IN, Editor of the DisDatch i:


1t is quite likely that the public have
had enough of the subject under dis
cussion between j. g. l.. and myself
the influence of the brain in maintain
ing perfect condition of the physical
system. But the necessity devolves
upon me of defending views pertain
ing to matters of public interest when
attacked, and to that end | shall notice
the reply o. J. c. L. in the Dispatch
of April 10th. Before doing so, how
ever. it gives me pleasure to say that
his disavowal of intentional discour-
tesy in previous article Is all that
could be desired
The proposition which j. G. l.. says
he Especially challenged" and which
he says l "dedged" and declined to
maintain is sentence in an article on
"What Constitutes Perfect Health,
which appeared in the Dispatch some
time since-viz., "and last and most
important of all, brain developed by
culture and exercise, through the men
tai and moral faculties, forming that
rare combination mems sona an sdno
cOrpOre."
As the brain is one OF the organs Of
the body, and a very important one
with most people, it would seem hardly
necessary TO argue that it should not be
left out or disregarded in that perfect
condition of all the organs of the body,
which constitutes the highest degree of
health.
l admit that its exercise through the
mind adds little, if any, to the muscular
power of the individual. Nor have |
promulgated "the new doctrine that the
muscles are developed, not by the use
of the muscles, but by the use OF the
BRAIN" or anything resembling it.
But | do maintain, as stated IN
former article that mental training Tex
ercise of the BRAIN increases to re-
markable degree what is called the
STAYING powers of the system, its ability
TO endure fatigue, to withstand me
rdrdQes Of disease. and to protOng hfe.
The cities of Richmond and Norfolk,
and others too numerous to mention,
sent to the late war young men whose
endurance of hardship and fatigue con-
trasted favorably with that OF their
stronger comrades from the country.
This fact was noted and commented
upon at the time, and properly attri-
buted to the superior morale OF the city
troops. The deficiency of muscle on
their part was more than made up In
brain and nerve.
And yet, when hundreds Of men are
now living examples of this theory,
when many officers and surgeons con
firm it, 81. c. L." quotes the adsge,
referring to it, zone swallow does not
make a summer" and says there are
"no reliable statistics on the subject. "
Take the question of longevity, to
which perfect physical condition is so
essential: Do we look for examples OF
it among outlaws and bandits, who are
generally splendid specimensof muscu-
lar development ? Even when they
escape the violent death of the knife,
the pistol, or the halter, they carry in
their bodies the seeds of early disco
luton, in the strain to which their
brains and nervous systems are sub
jected by lives of excitement and pas
sion.
Solomon, the wisest of mankind,
speaking of wisdom, says: " Length OF
DAYS is in her right hand" referring to
the fact, the cause of which he proba-
bly, did not understand, that vigorous
and well-balanced brain promotes
health and longevity.
j. c. l.. says the proposition chat
the bOdy is strengthened most :" (he is
correct so far as strength is concerned)
land made most enduring by the use
of the brain pronounced absurd"
Intellectual men are proverblally
long-lived. The clergyman with a
mind at perfect peace with God is said
TO head the list.
Take another view of the subject :
How many men of the South, at the
close of the war, with fortunes de-
stroyed. their SONS buried on the field
of battle, bereft of all hope, sunk into
premature graves as surely as if struck
down by the asssssin's bullet?
Are any more examples needed; or
does J. c. l.. require any more
"logic in which quality he AYERS |
en- wanting--to prove what was stated
in the Outset, and has been the bone
Of contention in this discussion, that a
healthy and well-developed condition
of the brain is the most important re-
quisite to perfect health. NJ. d.